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Nora was pointing at the paintings on the walls and the various sculptures lined up in the hallway that led to the inner wing of the mansion. “We rarely have visitors. Uncle Richard is nice. He brings me candies when he comes to visit. He’s also my godfather. Papa only has one friend.”
“Is that so?” Carmen said, turning back to look at him. She looked him up and down as though seeing right through him.
Arthur scowled. Unwittingly, his daughter was leading the very woman into their house who he had vowed to keep out of their life. And it was all because he was distracted by an ample bosom and a pretty pair of eyes that accompanied them.
“Papa likes to collect antique treasuries. When he was younger, he travelled all over the continent and even went to live in America! I was, of course, not born then,” Nora said with a giggle. “Papa, won’t you tell her about your adventures?”
“Maybe later,” he said shortly.
“I didn’t think you would be the person who travelled the continent,” Carmen said and after a pause added, “My Grace.” It sounded almost like an afterthought.
The brazen woman was getting on his very last nerve. Nora continued to lead her while pointing out the significances of the paintings lined up on the wall. She stopped in front of one of the paintings. It was of the three of them. Lydia sat on the chair with Nora in her lap while Arthur stood at the back. The picture was commissioned only a month before Lydia’s passing.
“That’s Mother,” Nora said. Her voice held a pang of sadness when she spoke. “She passed away three years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Carmen said, squeezing Nora’s hand with her own. He saw the way she gently placed a hand on her head and drew her closer for comfort. He saw Nora fist her skirt in her other palm as they stood watching the painting. It was his most favorite thing in the whole house. Nothing could be more valuable than this. Something inside him ached when he saw how Nora sought comfort in the other woman.
He saw her read the engraving below the painting and even heard her murmur his name.Arthur, he heard her breath.
Something inside him stiffened when he heard her say his name like that. It was giving her access to his secret which was ridiculous because it was only his name. She looked up at him, this time with the knowledge of his name on her lips. Even though social standing forbade her from taking his name, he wanted her to.
Mrs. Cooper appeared at the other end of the tunnel, breaking the spell. “There you are, Lady Nora,” she said. “I’ve been looking for you all over the house. You’ve grown quite naughty.”
At that, Nora only giggled as if pleased by this. Mrs. Cooper noticed that Nora was holding Carmen’s hand and turned to her. “Are you a new servant?”
At her insinuation, a flush crept up her face. Before he could say something, Nora did. “Not at all Mrs. Cooper. She is our guest. She also happens to be the new owner of the music hall that I was telling you about.”
“Is that her?” Mrs. Cooper said to Carmen. “Lady Nora has been talking about you the whole week. She is really excited to see your show, and now so am I!”
Arthur frowned. Nora had been talking about Carmen all week? Did she really have such a deep encounter on her in one brief meeting? He scowled. Of course, she had the same effect on him.
“Thank you. We were looking forward to welcoming our guests too,” Carmen said, looking straight up at him.
“Were?” Mrs. Cooper asked.
“Unfortunately, we cannot open the music hall in the foreseeable future,” Carmen said. “Someone decided it wouldn’t be such a good idea, made his opinion, and then ruined it.”
Both Mrs. Cooper and Nora gasped. “I had no idea…” Nora trailed off. She looked very upset. “I was looking forward to it.”
“Maybe in the future someday,” Carmen said in a reassuring voice. “Love and hope always find a way.”
“Which instrument do you play?” Mrs. Cooper said.
“I’m proficient in many, but I do have a weakness for the pianoforte,” Carmen replied.
“We don’t have that,” Mrs. Cooper said politely. “But we do have a violin, if you want to play for us.”
Nora stood up on the balls of her feet and tugged at her hand. “You must! You must!” she said.
“Maybe we should ask your father first,” she said shooting him a meaningful look. Circumstances were spiraling out of his hand, and he could do nothing about it.
“I’m certain he wouldn’t mind,” Nora said. “Anyway, he won’t be around to hear it.”
Carmen frowned. “Why not?”
* * *
“He doesn’t like me playing,” she said, her face falling.
